火爆社区

Whitman College offers a 鈥済enuine connection鈥� between students and faculty, along with an education that is very strong across the board.鈥� In part, that鈥檚 because it is said to be very 鈥渆asy to take classes in lots of different areas,鈥� with an emphasis on there being 鈥済ood research opportunities (especially in sciences like chemistry, biology, [and] physics).鈥� It鈥檚 also reported that coursework is 鈥渕ore focused on theory than practical application,鈥� which is generally considered a positive. Perhaps that鈥檚 because the school offers 鈥渟o much support academically, socially, [and] financially.鈥� A big part of that support stems from how 鈥減rofessors are always there for you and show that they care and want to help you succeed.鈥� Teachers are described as 鈥渋ncredibly accessible and happy to work with students on an individual level. I鈥檝e had professors who let me add texts to their syllabuses, let me interpret assignment descriptions generously, and I even know students who have designed entire courses as part of an independent study.鈥� The takeaway is 鈥減ositively challenging,鈥� with one student observing that thanks to the school鈥檚 urging, 鈥淚鈥檝e accomplished things I never knew I could have.鈥�

Whitman undergrads appreciate that they鈥檙e part of a 鈥渢ight-knit鈥� student body, one that tends to be more 鈥渃ollaborative than competitive.鈥� Many attribute this to the 鈥渟mall campus size,鈥� which certainly encourages students 鈥渢o be very close鈥� and only very occasionally 鈥渃liquey, for lack of a better term.鈥� Students bond over being 鈥渋ntellectual and able to have deep conversations鈥� and appreciate that their peers are 鈥渋nterested in learning both in and out of the classroom,鈥� or as one puts it: 鈥渘ot just in college for the degree.鈥� Demographically, students suggest that it鈥檚 鈥渘ot super diverse racially or politically,鈥� but while it leans toward a mix of 鈥渓iberal,鈥� 鈥渧ery white,鈥� and 鈥渨ealthy,鈥� students acknowledge there鈥檚 been a larger range 鈥渙ver the years in terms of racial diversity鈥� and has a 鈥渓arge international student body.鈥� Students quickly strike up commonalities over a love of the outdoors or their creative efforts: 鈥淢y peers are very friendly and warm. We usually see each other on campus and say hello and chat for a couple of minutes.鈥� When it comes down to it, 鈥渢here is a specific kind of kid that chooses Whitman. One that uses what they know for good.鈥�

Whitman students prioritize their academics, but when they鈥檙e ready to close their books, there鈥檚 plenty to enjoy: 鈥淧eople really like on-campus events. Winter balls, film screenings, contra dances, crafts fairs; there鈥檚 a lot to do.鈥� Students also eagerly participate in the college鈥檚 100+ clubs. For example, 鈥渢he radio station is fairly popular, a lot of people do rec sports (ultimate frisbee [and] frolf [frisbee golf ] especially).鈥� More importantly, 鈥渃lubs are not super competitive to get into, which leaves willing students a lot more opportunities to get involved outside the classroom,鈥� regardless of the topic, such as one student who volunteers that, 鈥淢y friend and I founded the Whitman Students Dracula Club.鈥� For those seeking to give back to the community, strong volunteering opportunities are mentioned at local elementary schools, food distribution networks, and the nearby OddFellows elderly care facility. It鈥檚 also easy for students to enjoy the surrounding area. Another undergrad explains, 鈥淚n my free time, I love to bike, walk around Pioneer Park and Mill Creek and the surrounding neighborhoods. The downtown is really cute and I will go walk around the shops.鈥� In general, 鈥渙utdoor activities are super popular,鈥� but the consensus is that 鈥渋f you like it, there is a place for you at Whitman for it.鈥�

Whitman鈥檚 Student Engagement Center provides a number of services to help students prepare for life after college. It offers traditional resources like job and internship search tools, career counseling, help with resumes and cover letters, and career fairs. The school also organizes 鈥淲hitman Hubs鈥� in several cities to provide students and alumni with professional networking opportunities. The SEC sponsors special events and programs geared towards students interested in entrepreneurship and community service. Many students praise the career resources that the school offers, and of Whitman alumni visiting PayScale.com, 57 percent report that they derive meaning from their jobs.